The Mirrorwind

The Mirrorwind is a prophesied apocalyptic storm said to be capable of tearing the fabric of Lyra apart. According to rare texts held in the hidden Banniatear Library, the storm will be heralded by the return of the demon Ithak'var, known in sailors' tales as the Crooked Man, whose followers are actively working to bring it about. The Mirrorwind has not yet occurred, a status authorities describe as "encouraging" [citation needed].

The Prophecy

Knowledge of the Mirrorwind survives chiefly in the accounts of the scholar Aegebras Banniatear, keeper of a hidden library of rare texts in Marterus. These sources describe an apocalyptic storm set to destroy Lyra, bound to the fate of Ithak'var, the Shepherd of Countless Faces — a demon sealed in the Abyss centuries ago by six legendary heroes. Should his ancient bindings fail, the prophecy holds, the Mirrorwind follows.

Cult Activity

The demon's followers are identified by intricate root tattoos wrapping across their skin. Cells of these cultists have been observed conducting dark rituals across Farmarch and Felldrei, apparently seeking to break the seals of Ithak'var's prison. Their connection to several recent calamities is suspected but unproven, as the cultists have so far declined all requests for comment [citation needed].

Warnings and Sightings

Whispers of the coming storm have grown in recent years. In the winter of 1487 DR a gaunt, wretched figure — later identified by the sailor Beorn as the Crooked Man himself — materialized aboard the ice-breaker The Stubborn Arse in the Kalani Strait, speaking of the Mirrorwind and threatening punishment before vanishing. The abduction of the crew member Marta by a flying shadow that same night is widely regarded as connected.

Preparedness

No coordinated response to the Mirrorwind is known to exist. King Edor Braun of Marterus, when briefed on the prophecy, undertook to put the word out for an expert who might help. Coastal communities are advised to continue surviving the weeds, mostly.